--- title: PrintExp Motherboard Serial Number Recovery (MB Serial Starts With 0000) – Fix “Mainboard is not initialised” source_url: https://printexp.co.za/recovery published: 2026-01-12 08:01:32 modified: 2026-07-06 08:51:06 fetched_at: 2026-08-30T23:28:53+0200 category: training wp_site: https://printexp.co.za wp_prefix: printexp wp_id: 1648 wp_type: post pass: sql37-wp-mysql-digest-2026-08-30 notes: sql37 published digest; public permalink; no wp internals in body. PrintExp is AM printer control/alignment software. --- # PrintExp Motherboard Serial Number Recovery (MB Serial Starts With 0000) – Fix “Mainboard is not initialised” **Source:** [https://printexp.co.za/recovery](https://printexp.co.za/recovery) - published: 2026-01-12 08:01:32 - modified: 2026-07-06 08:51:06 If your PrintExp printer can initialise and print a nozzle test, but fails when printing any job with errors like **“Mainboard is not initialised”**, it usually means the **motherboard serial data (MB Serial Number) has been lost**. A common sign is that **MB Serial Number starts with 0000** in **PrintExp → Advanced → Version Info** (and often other key fields show zeros too). This article explains the typical symptoms and causes (including the **red reset switch**), what information we need to attempt recovery, the expected turnaround, and how the **authorisation code file** is loaded to restore the serial number and get your PrintExp system printing normally again. ## The symptoms: The printer can correctly initialise, and can also successfully print nozzle test, but when print any file, it gives an error message about motherboard failed to initialise. e.g. a typical message of "**Mainboard is not initialised**" ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_symptoms.png) ## Verify the Issue: At PrintExp software, "**Advanced -> Version Info**", you will see "MB Serial Number" start with 0000 ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_version_info.png) if you check "**Advanced -> Version Info -> Details**", you will also see MB Serial Number start with 0000, and many more places with zeros, which is a sign of many key information lost. ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_details_version_info.png) ## The Cause: **Possible causes for error.** - Bought a motherboard not from us - Battery dead (unlikely) - Fiddled with the red reset switch (most case) - Installed firmware from different model - Other mysterious reason we have not yet discovered ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_red-dipswitch.png) Possibly unset red/ white reset dip-switch. ## To discover other causes We will need to investigate the device and will levy a charge. ### The Cost: **We will levy charge:** | x_reset_printexp,price | | --- | | x_reset_printexp,name | | (x_reset_printexp,sku) | If we are able to recover, no charge for failed attempts. ### The Info We needed: #### 1. Software version the PrintExp version you are using, get at "**Advanced** -> **Version Info**", the "Software Version" *e.g. Software version: 5.7.9.94.R.A3* ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_version_info-1.png) #### 2. Motherboard ID and Type Find and provide these numbers on these locations **On motherboard**,*eg:Motherboard ID: 203241208548Motherboard Type: XP600单头平板机 LJ579470* ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_motherboardID_type.png) #### 3. Application Code: ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot-fctory_mode.png) Get into Factory mode (from Advanced -> Factory), ask your support for Password: ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_firmware.png) Click "**Reset mainboard**' under "**Firmware**" ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot00012_Authorization_code.png) Then in the "Reinitialise" window that popped out, click "**Create application code**", e.g*. CEACA0EDAB1FB78D864BE938E6A0AB38CAF79095* ***(example)***then send the info to [printexp@am.co.za](mailto:printexp@am.co.za) **Please copy past the following to email and then provide info of your machine:** Order Reference: Machine Type (SKU): Machine Barcode: Software version: Motherboard ID: Motherboard Type: Application Code: Click to copy If can not copy paste - please type out "Motherboard Type" because of foreign characters *(you can also can attach a clear photo with the email)* ### What will happen next: If we are able to locate your purchase, then we will send above info to developer of PrintExp motherboard - they will provide an Authorization code back to us - this usually takes around 2-3 working days to get an authorisation code file back to us, e.g. ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_Authorization_code.png) Once you get the file back from us, load this "**Authorization code**" by the 3 dots button ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_reset_.png) then click "Authorise", if successful, you will see "Reinitialise successful!" message. ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_reinnitialise.png) then reboot and verify if serial number is back ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_reboot_serial.png) then import the firmware back (you can either import from previous export, or download a common one from [cncu.co.za](http://cncu.co.za) website (consult with your support for best suitable ones) ![](https://printexp.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Honsoft_printXP_troubleshoot_firmware_back.png) Then lastly once complete, we will send you invoice for the recovery excise. And hopefully you won't fiddle with the red reset switch anymore :-)